Troy Meadows in Parsippany had 200 Rusty Blackbirds this morning. A group of 20 became 40 and then a mass of mostly Rusty Blackbirds with smaller amounts of other Icterids alighted on and filled the young trees in the marsh. After a few minutes, most of the group took off and was gone.

Also present was an Osprey leaving an overnight perch, Killdeer, Wilson’s Snipe, Wild Turkey, a singing Pine Warbler, 3 Fox Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and other typical species of the area.

The Melanie Lane Pond in Hanover Township had 30 Wilson’s Snipe, 1-2 Greater Yellowlegs and 25 Green-winged Teal. Jamie Glydon found the same birds here yesterday. With Morris County starving for shorebird habitat this place has the potential to be productive assuming it doesn’t flood. It is on the border of Hanover and East Hanover Townships and is across the street from FedEx and some other corporate buildings. There is a small dirt and gravel parking area and a short walk to the pond.

One of the Wilson’s Snipe at Melanie Lane Pond